perturbation

• Some of them define it even more briefly, saying that a perturbation is a somewhat too vehement appetite; but by too vehement they mean an appetite that recedes further from the constancy of nature. —  Cicero's Tusculan Disputations Also, Treatises On The Nature Of The Gods, And On The Commonwealth
• The definition of a perturbation, as Zeno, I think, has rightly determined it, is thus: That a perturbation is a commotion of the mind against nature, in opposition to right reason; or, more briefly, thus, that a perturbation is a somewhat too vehement appetite; and when he says somewhat too vehement, he means such as is at a greater distance from the constant course of nature. —  Cicero's Tusculan Disputations Also, Treatises On The Nature Of The Gods, And On The Commonwealth
• But when the perturbation was a little subsided, and men began to inquire why they were banded together, the difficulty of defining their purpose proved that the league, however respectable, was not a party. —  Coningsby
• did I not make it appear, by my former arguments--or was I only amusing myself and killing time in what I then said?--that the mind of a wise man was always free from every hasty motion which I call a perturbation, and that the most undisturbed peace always reigned in his breast? —  Cicero's Tusculan Disputations Also, Treatises On The Nature Of The Gods, And On The Commonwealth
• (The simple law of inverse square does not apply, because a perturbation is a differential effect: the satellite or ocean when nearer to the perturbing body than the rest of the earth, is attracted more, and when further off it is attracted less than is the main body of the earth; and it is these differences alone which constitute the perturbation.) —  Pioneers of Science

Roget's II: The New Thesaurus

Allen's Synonyms and Antonyms

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